Viggo M. Balmer 1903-1954

BALMER, JORGENSEN

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 4/5/2014 at 12:05:57

Viggo Balmer Killed in Farm Mishap
Viggo Balmer, 34, --- North Sixth street, was fatally injured yesterday afternoon in a combine mishap while working on the farm of his brother-in-law, Ed --- near Ringsted. The cause of death could not be easily determined because there were no witnesses to the mishap but Dr. C. -. Kirkegaard, acting coroner said Balmer apparently fell from the tractor he was driving and was run over by the combine.

Reports that he suffered a heart attack and toppled from the tractor can not be affirmed, Dr. Kirkegaard said. Mr. Balmer was harvesting soybeans at the time.

The mishap was discovered when a son of Ed – noticed the tractor driving down the soybean field with no apparent driver. The tractor and the combine it was pulling out of the – field, through a fence and into an adjacent field before the son was able to get the tractor stopped. His father and mother came to the field at about the same time and the body of Mr. Balmer was discovered then, at about – p.m.

The deceased had been a resident of Estherville for – and one-half years moving from the Dolliver area where he had spent the rest of his life. He was employed as a – for the --- Co. and had previously worked at Joyce Lumber Co.

He is survived by his wife, Mildred and three sons, Jack, James and Jerry. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Martin Balmer of Ringsted also survive.

Mr. Balmer was one of six children, with two brothers and three sisters, who also survive. They are George Balmer of Dolliver, Niels Balmer of Estherville, Mrs. Alice Joregensen of Swea City, Mrs. Lena – of Fairmont, and Mrs. Eddie — at Armstrong.

Funeral services will be held at the Dolliver Lutheran Church on Thursday at 2:30 p.m. with the Rev. George Pallesen officiating, preceded by a brief service at 1:30 on Thursday at the Sternborg Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Dolliver cemetery. (Estherville Daily News, Estherville, IA, October 19, 1954)

Note: poor quality scan